The
statutory deadline is April 29, 2001 for both congressional and
legislative redistricting, which is the end of the General Assembly’s
regular session. A five-member Redistricting Commission will adopt an
interim congressional plan if the deadline is not met. The commission
consists of the speaker, the president of the senate, the chairpersons
of the committees responsible for redistricting in both houses, and a
gubernatorial appointee. If the state legislative district plan does
not make deadline, the governor may call a special session of the
legislature.

Who’s in Charge of Redistricting?

The
legislature has the responsibility for all redistricting. The Senate
Committee on Elections and the House Committee on Elections and
Reapportionment have jurisdiction. The Governor has veto power over
both congressional and legislative plans.

Districting Principles

Principle

Congressional

State Legis.

Compactness

Contiguity

+

Political sub.

Communities

District cores

Incumbents

VRA § 5

+
=
required
-- = prohibited a = allowed

Public Access

Town
hall style meetings are held throughout the state. Also, the state data
center will have computer workstations available for the public to
create their own proposed plans.

Political Landscape

In
1991, control of redistricting was split between the major parties, and
district lines were changed only marginally. At the beginning of the
1990s, Democrats held eight of Indiana’s ten House seats. Currently,
Democrats hold four House seats. The redistricting process will likely
be contentious with a small Democratic majority in the State House and
a Democratic Governor. Making it more difficult is the fact that
Indiana has lost one of its seats.